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If you want hard numbers, Forbes magazine has estimated total revenues across the sharing and P2P companies could reach $3.5bn by 2014, with growth exceeding 25%.

So, here’s a decent sized list of companies focused on collaborative consumption, along with some warning shots, or notes of opposition from more traditional quarters. Once you’ve scrolled to the bottom, you’ll realise just how many of these companies there are.

Call it delight, caring, innovation or service, some companies set themselves apart by earning the durable preference of their customers.

If your view is that “life is too short for standard results” then here is what I’ve learned from business leaders who know how to earn the involvement and loyalty of great customers.

These loved firms grow faster, maintain stronger margins, and navigate downturns better than those firms with customer relationships based on toleration and transaction. And, it turns out, there are patterns to how companies become loved.

Collaborative consumption is due to hit SXSW with a bang (expect it to be one of the biggest developing trends) – and it’s continuing to influence the business models of many new start-ups in the digital space.

Today however, there’s news of an example that ropes in another trend we’re seeing develop – socially enhanced automotive apps and offerings.